Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego Long Range Fishing
Searcher Sportfishing offers premier San Diego Long Range fishing trips departing from Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego, California. Join Captain Mike, Chef Josh, and the Searcher Crew on our 95-foot double-planked mahogany wood sportfishing boat for 2-day to 8-day long-range trip to offshore fishing locations in Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, targeting tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, dorado, and more.
View Searcher’s 2026 & Partial 2027 Schedule
Searcher is docked at Fisherman’s Landing, 2838 Garrison Street San Diego, CA 92106.
Interested in chartering a trip, send an email, office@searchersportfishing.com or call the office, 619-226-2403.
For the latest Southern California fishing reports check out Fisherman’s Landing YouTube Page. If you have tackle questions, give Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop a call, 619-221-8500.
Trip Report
Aug 13 (Aug 12-15) Captain Potatohead Memorial
Hello anglers,
We started the anual Captain Potatohead trip in memory of our good friend Dick Uranga! The donatons to be sent to pancreatic cancer research (to PanCan) started coming in prior to departure with raffle tickets for prizes and donations. What a great cause!
We went out west to try for bluefin tuna on our first night. We landed a few and lost a few of these 40-60# fish. After midnight we didn’t see any schools and the trooops were tired, so we anchored at San Clemente island. We will try our luck here during the day and then try for bluefin tuna again tonight.
Captain Art and Team Searcher
Hello anglers,
We've seen lots and lots of non-biting bluefin tuna this afternoon. We have high hopes for this evening and feel we are in the right place. We tried several spots this morning for some yellowtail but there was a lack of current everywhere we went.
Here are two lucky anglers with their yellowtail. That was a highlight with along with our lasagna and salad lunch.
More later,
Captain Art and Team Searcher
Captain’s Blog
May 29 (3-day) Memorial Day
Good morning anglers,
Wer’e drifting today isntead of driving around all day and night, so it’s a better day!
We couldn’t find the spots up we saw in the afternoon yesterday when the sun went down. So we relocated to a different zone and caught a couple 50lbers last night. This morning all we see is big ones and they’re are biting.
The fish are 80-180lbs and we haven’t caught one under 100. They’re all coming on the sinker rigs. They’re very hard to catch and we’re losing a lot of them at the moment.
If you are coming on an upcoming trip, make sure you bring a rail rod and large 2-speed reel with 80-100lb.
Captain Mike and the boys
Congrats John!
Good evening anglers,
We plunked on these big fish all afternoon. They bit all day today, and though it was better in the morning, we were still seeing them and getting bites in the afternoon.
Lots of heartbreaks today, lots of opportunity. A sinker rig on 80lb was the go-to outfit for best success. Any fish we hooked on 60lb, ended up getting away. These fish are no joke. We tried a few schools in the dark before heading home, but our anglers are exhausted, so we’re going to call it and end on a high note here.
Captain Mike and the boys
Searcher Crew
Searcher Crew Profile
Captain Kenny Merrell
more profiles
Social Media
Did You Know?
Searcher Offers 12-Day Whale Watching Cruises & Guided Tours!
As you’ve experienced and enjoyed being aboard the Searcher, fishing and spending time with our crew, we’d like to introduce you to another type of trip we offer, Whale Watching through Baja.
We have a 12-day cruise and guided tour from Fisherman’s Landing in San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico, scheduled for February 6 – 17, 2027. We would be thrilled to share one of the most exciting wildlife destinations with you, guided by our expert leadership team.
This is the perfect opportunity to not only spot gray, blue, fin, humpback, sperm, Bryde’s, and pilot whales but also sharpen your photography skills!
For more details, view Baja Whale’s website www.bajawhale.com
Review the detailed itinerary and additional trip information: Baja Whale Tour Itinerary
If you have any questions, please feel free to email searcher.tours@bajawhale.com or call 619-226-2403.
Tackle Tip Thursday
What Our Anglers Say
It’s a welcoming atmosphere, professional attention to detail in all aspects, commitment/drive to put anglers on fish, expert help in helping everyone maximize biting fish opportunities.
Captains Mike and Ryan work hard to get us on fish, plus jump on deck when needed. Deck crew are not only highly competent technicians but display a positive and extremely customer-first attitude. Booking, payment and checkin are seamless! Chef Dan and Josh’s meals and snacks were perfect, enjoyable meals with great variety. I really enjoy your limited load trips!
Captain, crew and cooks were absolute professionals. Boat is extremely clean and comfortable. Everyone worked **very hard**.
The crew directing traffic while you have a fish on was done to perfection. Very happy with the positive energy from the whole boat.
The crew’s attitude was over-the-top great. Everyone was very positive, helpful and patient. I know this reflects Art, Celia and our captain. I just can’t say enough good things about the positive attitude of this crew. It made a huge impression on me. Thank you!
The crew was awesome, great food and immediate attention to the deck, gaffing, and help with tangles.
Another great trip on the Searcher. Captain Mike did a nice job of putting us on the fish. Crew did an amazing job from there. Any other boat would have been heading back to shore. This guy doesn’t give up. He made a lot of happy customers! Well done, Team Searcher!
The crew makes everyone feel so welcome. They go up and beyond making sure everyone is having a good time, helping with tackle setup and overall making sure everyone one is having fun.
Cooking was on point every meal! Deckhands are always there to help you out with your setups. They take the time to answer everyone’s questions while staying on top of their game. Just overall make it feel like an amazing experience, as well as a family.
Every crew member, including Mike and Josh, was very willing to teach us new techniques and how best to fish the targeted species. The working relationship among the crew was outstanding. It is a pleasure to see men enjoy their job and work so well together. Keep up the great attitude and spirit.
Your operation hires solid crew members that make the trip fun. Catching yellowtail on the iron while listening to music in the sun was the highlight of my trip.
When you have a great crew and good fishing you remember the good times!
Best run operation I’ve ever been on as far as desire of captain and attitude/ teamwork of the crew.
The crew is top notch. Mike knows how to fish hard and find the fish. Josh puts out 5 star meals every meal. The deck crew is always attentive to what’s happening on deck. They want to help with a great attitude and they all work together and get along great. The whole operation is smooooth.
They did everything possible to make it a successful adventure for everyone willing/able to participate.
Absolute top notch operation. I always enjoy fishing with Team Searcher.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time fishing with the Searcher crew. You guys are the best and most professional operation I’ve fished with in San Diego.
Customer service and great attitude is always abundant on Searcher!
Deckhands exceptional, food was excellent, accommodations were great.
Searcher attracts a nice group of anglers. Experienced fisher persons, work well together.
Great vibe; welcoming/professional/skilled/hospitable. The Searcher Team rocks!
There’s a reason why I come back each year…I’m hooked with the Searcher.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel and we are able to rebook your spot, or if we receive your cancellation more than 120 days prior to departure, your deposit is refundable less a 10% cancellation fee based on the trip price.
If you cancel less than 120 days prior to departure, the trip is non-refundable unless the spot is rebooked. If the spot is rebooked, a refund will be issued less the 10% cancellation fee based on the trip price.
No refunds will be issued after the trip departs.
We recommend purchasing trip insurance to help protect your vacation investment in the event you need to cancel your trip. For pricing, benefits, and assistance from an agent, please visit Safari Global Travel. https://safariglobaltravel.com/
All trips require a valid passport book or passport card. Cancellation due to not having a valid passport book or passport card is still considered a cancellation and is subject to the same cancellation policy outlined above. Passport books or passport cards must be valid for the duration of the trip and will not expire during the duration of the trip and must meet the Mexican immigration requirements. Please verify your passport expiration date and ensure it meets all travel requirements before making your deposit.
All passengers are required to carry a valid passport (Passport Book or Passport Card) for all trips. Trip itineraries and fishing locations are subject to change based on weather, fishing conditions, and operational needs. Failure to possess a valid passport does not exempt a passenger from the cancellation policy.
Passengers are responsible for ensuring their passport is valid at the time of travel and meets all applicable U.S. and Mexican entry requirements. No refunds will be issued due to a passenger’s failure to provide the required travel documentation.
If a trip requires Mexican immigration documents (such as an FMM or similar visitor authorization), a valid passport or passport card is required.